Inside the Devils’ Development Struggles: A Look at the Pipeline Problem
While the New Jersey Devils hit pause for the Olympic break, the organization's deeper layers are still in motion - just not in the direction fans would hope. A few Devils are skating on the international stage, but the spotlight now shifts to the prospects and AHL players still grinding behind the scenes. And right now, that spotlight is revealing some uncomfortable truths.
The Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, is limping into the second half of the season. With a record of 13-22-5-3 and sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference, it’s clear the development pipeline is clogged. The All-Star break gave the Comets a brief breather, but when they return to the ice this weekend, they’ll be doing so from a position that reflects more than just a rough stretch - it reflects a systemic issue.
Let’s zoom out for a moment. New Jersey has seen some success at the NHL level in recent years, including a couple of playoff appearances.
But that momentum hasn’t trickled down to Utica. The Comets haven’t made the playoffs since the 2022-23 season, and even that campaign showed signs of a downward trend.
Their standout year came in 2021-22, but they couldn’t convert that into lasting success. Before Utica, the Binghamton Devils also struggled to stay competitive.
This isn’t a new problem - it’s a pattern.
The root of the issue seems to be development. While the Devils have hit on a few big-name draft picks - especially from the top of the first round - their track record beyond that is spotty.
Players like Jesper Bratt and Arseny Gritsyuk, who developed overseas, have become success stories, but they’re more the exception than the rule. And while there have been a few players who climbed through the system and carved out NHL roles, many of them have landed as depth pieces rather than core contributors.
There’s still some optimism around recent additions like Lenni Hämeenaho, who’s already earned a look at the NHL level. But overall, the Devils haven’t consistently developed mid-round picks into impact players - and that’s a problem.
When your NHL roster isn’t being meaningfully supplemented by your own draft pipeline, it puts more pressure on trades and free agency to fill gaps. That’s not a sustainable model, especially for a team trying to build long-term success.
So what’s going wrong? It might be time to take a hard look at the people making the decisions.
If the scouting department isn’t identifying enough NHL-caliber talent beyond the obvious picks, that’s a red flag. If the player development staff isn’t turning raw prospects into polished pros, that’s another.
And if the management overseeing the AHL affiliate can’t foster a competitive environment, then the whole system suffers.
Utica’s struggles aren’t just about wins and losses - they’re about culture. When a team spends multiple seasons near the bottom of the standings, it impacts how young players grow.
Development isn’t just about ice time; it’s about learning how to win, building confidence, and being surrounded by the right mentors. Without that, even talented prospects can stall out.
It’s fair to ask how much of this falls on coaching and management at the AHL level. While turnover and internal dynamics aren’t always visible to the public, the results speak for themselves.
This is a group that’s been stuck in the basement for three straight seasons. And unlike some NHL clubs that sacrifice AHL success in favor of a “win-now” approach at the top, the Devils aren’t exactly lighting it up at the NHL level either.
That makes the lack of AHL development even more glaring.
Take a player like Shane LaChance - there’s potential there, and maybe he becomes a full-time NHLer down the line. But right now, he projects more as a bottom-six option than a game-changer.
And while every team needs those kinds of players, you also need to be developing your own top-six forwards and top-four defensemen. That’s what builds depth.
That’s what sustains success.
Compare that to organizations like Boston and Pittsburgh. Both were expected to take a step back this season.
Instead, they’re firmly in playoff position - and their AHL affiliates are among the league’s best. That’s not a coincidence.
It’s the result of a development system that’s working from top to bottom.
For the Devils, it’s time to ask some tough questions. Is the scouting department identifying the right players?
Is the development staff maximizing their potential? Is the AHL coaching staff building a winning environment?
And is the organization as a whole aligned in its vision for how to build and sustain a competitive team?
Right now, the answers aren’t encouraging. And while firing people is never a simple fix, it’s clear that something has to change. Whether it’s new voices in the front office, a shakeup in Utica, or a broader re-evaluation of the development model, the Devils need to recalibrate - and fast.
Because if the pipeline stays dry, the NHL team won’t just struggle this season. It’ll struggle to compete in the years to come.